Plan B proves a winner

SPREYTON trainer Kelvin Hamilton had intended running promising sprinter-miler Need To Be Unique in South Australia on Saturday, but was forced to scrap those plans due to transport issues.

But Hamilton cleverly nominated the four-year-old for Devonport on Sunday and Need To Be Unique saluted in a benchmark 62 handicap over 1350m with apprentice Chelsea Baker aboard.

It was accomplished ride from Baker, who is making an impact on Tasmania’s riding ranks.

“There was a 68-rating race over 1400m at Morphettville on Saturday that I had him set for, but we couldn’t get him on the boat [Spirit of Tasmania],” Hamilton said.

“I will take him to Adelaide next month and we will stay about a month. There are a couple of nice races there for him.”

Need To Be Unique (Needs Further-Double Unique) has had nine starts for four wins and three placings, testimony to his trainer’s evaluation of the gelding.

Hamilton said he would take an unraced three-yearold to SA as a travelling companion for his rising star.

“The three-year-old is about to be named and goes well, so he won’t just be a travelling mate,” he said.

Baker said Need To Be Unique felt like a horse with a bright future.

“He jumped away nicely but it took me a bit too long to decide where I wanted to be [in the run] but it worked in our favour because he settled for me and then just went through his gears,” she said. FREELANCER was once regarded as a pretender with punters having their fingers burnt numerous times in his two and three-year-old campaigns, but it looks like those days are well behind the son of Wordsmith.

At Devonport on Sunday Freelancer made it three wins in succession when he toyed with his rivals to win a benchmark 76 handicap over 1350m.

The Barry Campbelltrained four-year-old was dropping back from 1650m but with Daniel Ganderton aboard he made light of the task.

“I think this horse showed his versatility today and I reckon he’s got more to give this prep,” Campbell said.

Freelancer settled midfield in the small field of six before Ganderton sent the gelding around the field to sit just off the leader, Coronation Keith, but when he eased three-wide to challenge, he quickly hauled in the leader and went on to defeat that horse by over a length.

SIGGY Carr never set her sights in winning this season’s jockeys’ premiership but now she is within six of leader Codi Jordan, she might soon find herself in a serious battle for the crown.

Jordan has not ridden a winner for more than a month while Carr has been chipping away with the odd win and Sunday’s double may have sparked the flame.

“I’m not thinking about the premiership. If it happens then that will be great but I’m trying not to focus on it,” she said.

With seven meetings remaining, Jordan is on 53 with Carr on 47 and apprentice Erica Byrne Burke is three wins adrift.